Just one year into his tenure at Arizona, and Rich Rodriguez is already on the receiving end of an enhanced contract from the university.
Thursday night, UA officials confirmed that the school’s Board of Regents has approved a one-year contraction extension for the head coach. Rodriguez is now signed through the 2017 season on his five-year deal, which is the maximum length permissible.
In addition to the extension, which has been in the works since October, Rodriguez also received a $225,000 raise in his base salary. Per USA Today‘s database, and not including any bonuses that may have been earned, Rodriguez made $1.5 million in 2012.
“The job that he and his staff has done has been outstanding: coming in and making a tremendous impact on Arizona football, our athletic department and our university,” athletic director Greg Byrne said.
Fired by Michigan in 2010 after three less-than-mediocre seasons, Rodriguez spent the 2011 season in television before his hiring by the Wildcats in November of that year. UA won eight games in 2012, doubling the number that earned his predecessor, Mike Stoops, a ticket to the head coaching unemployment line.
The on-field success has also translated to the recruiting trail, with Rodriguez and his staff quietly putting together the No. 36 class in the country according to Rivals.com. That marks UA’s best finish nationally since pulling in the No. 18 class in 2006.